The Thinning of the Veil and the Dead Draw Close

Popular methods to contact the dead

1. Talk Aloud

1. Hold an image of the person you wish to speak with. Do this in a quiet location with a clear mind and no distractions. Begin with simple questions requiring no more than a yes or no answer. The methods for answering should be clearly defined and explained such as knocking on the wall (one for yes, two for no). Do not be embarrassed of trying this as you are attempting to speak with a loved one. You should consider it as though the loved one is in the room with you.
2. Dreaming

1. Pay close attention to your dreams as it may be an ancestor attempting to reach out and communicate with you. With the veil thinning and with how sleep lowers your barriers, it makes it easier for spirits to contact you in your dreams.
2. Meditation

1. This is to assist our consciousness to make contact with our loved ones. Communication with them is often subtle and easily missed. Meditation helps to quiet the mind and sharpen the senses. 
2. Intercessors 

1. Not everyone will have the ability to commune with the dead. Some will need help from a person who is more experienced and successful in their communications. This person is known as an intercessor and can be a religious authority, a medium, or even a friend has been successful in communication. It is important to research mediums before selecting one if that is who you choose to assist you. Some mediums are frauds only out to get a quick buck from the vulnerable. They can be identified by their line of questioning and whether or not those questions are leading so that they can get certain answers from you.
2. Pray

1. Most religions have specific beliefs regarding death and the afterlife. Some religions do not allow communication with the dead at all. However, a prayer is never a bad idea. You can send a message directly to your loved one or a prayer that your message reaches your loved one somehow.
2. Holding a belonging

1. Holding a belonging that was precious to a loved one can enhance the connection with the loved one and is especially effective with meditation.
2. Tarot 

1. Asking simple questions and allowing yourself to be spiritually guided to a card. You would then determine the message through the cards meaning. 
2. Candle Scrying

1. Safer and more effective than scrying with a crystal or mirror. Scrying to commune with the dead could result in the spirit becoming trapped in the crystal or mirror. When candle scrying you want to relax, clear your mind of thoughts and emotions and allow yourself to become entranced by the flame. Allow the visions to come to you. You may also ask simple questions with simple ways to respond. For example: A flicker of the candle could mean yes while the flame shrinking or dimming could mean no.
2. Spirit Writing

1. Also known as automatic writing, this method invites the spirit to write a message. Hold a pen loosley in your hand above a piece of paper and let it move freely. Stay detached and do not read the message while it is being written. It is common to have misspelled words and backwards letters in a successful ritual. If the markings are illegible, you must come to terms with the fact that the ritual was not successful. 
2. This method is best used for contacting one familiar spirit. Inviting multiple spirits will create nothing more than a mess on the paper as well as increasing the danger of multiple uninvited spirits. 
3. This method is prone to attracting more malicious spirits than other methods like tarot or candle scrying. Trust your instincts and stop if you begin to feel uneasy.
4. Spirit Painting

1. Much like Spirit Writing, you will allow yourself to be guided spiritually. When the painting is complete, decipher the message.
2. Ouija Boards

1. Also known as Spirit Boards or Talking Boards, these can be homemade or bought. Never use a board that has already been used. While a rectangular shape is traditional, a circle shaped board may serve better as the circle is protective and helps sheild against evil spirits. Your board should include the alphabet, “yes”, “no”, and the numbers 0-9. A symbol of protection is also highly recommended.
2. You will also need a planchette. This is a triangular marker and can be as simple as a piece of cardboard with a line on one edge. This will be used for the spirit to point to specific numbers, letters, and answers on the board. 
3. At least 2 people are needed to use a Ouija Board, but three is preferable. This is to increase the odds that someone will remove their hands from the planchette and break the circle if a negative energy enters.
4. Hold the hands of the people assisting you and invite the dead to join you. Ask to speak with a familiar spirit for the least amount of risk
5. Ouija boards are notorious for attracting evil spirits. It is important to remember the rules of spirit communication. Using a board too often will give negative energies the impression that you are up to no good and encourages them to wreak havoc.
6. However, if used only on Samhain, it is a very effective way to speak to the dead as it allows more detailed messages.

Spirit communication is NEVER a game. The consequences need to be considered thoroughly before ANY attempt is made. Using it to show off makes you prey for evil spirits and will bring disaster and negative, unbalanced emotions.

Safety Tips

• Shield charms on yourself and the tools you will be using
  • Visualize an impenetrable shield of white light surrounding what you wish to protect
  • Add an affirmation such as Only good spirits may enter here. This path is closed to evil; they cannot come this way

• Scatter Protective substances in your workplace
  • Burnt matches
  • Pepper
  • Salt
  • Cumin

If at any time you feel scared, uneasy, or suspicious, immediately abandon the attempt. Do not allow curiosity take precedent over instinct and gut feeling.

Moderation

• Spirits with ill intentions may try to take advantage of you opening a path for spirits to come through. It is important to keep these kinds of rituals to a minimum to limit danger.

Intent

• Raising the dead with the attempt to gain power, control, or to impress or intimidate will attract bad karma. 

Protect yourself while summoning with one or more of the following methods:

Gems: Agate, Emerald, Bloodstone,Black Tourmaline, Black Onyx, Labradorite, Peridot

Cleansing Your Sacred Space

Start by burning sage, frankincense, or sandalwood and sprinkling sea salt around the room. Sage and sea salt are two of the most powerful spiritual cleansing agents. While you spread the smoke and salt, speak out loud. This can be anything that feels right to you, but it should convey the message that all spirits that are not there for positive help should leave. Be firm. You’re sending them home. There will be no sticking around after this. Make sure to thank them when you’ve said your piece, and repeat it as often as you need until you feel satisfied with the result. I recommend cleansing both before and after the summoning.

Bless your tools with the following spell:

Use one of the following methods that can be found here.